Michael A. Budkie, executive director of Stop Animal Exploitation Now!, in his complaint letter to the United States Department of Agriculture, said USM staff members have exhibited a continuing multi-month pattern of disregard for the well-being of these animals.

SAEN based its complaint on a USDA report from September of a Southern Miss research facility where tick research was being conducted.

Southern Miss officials said the tick research was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Gordon Cannon, vice provost for research, told The Hattiesburg American that the research is well-respected in the scientific community and important in determining the transmission of disease by ticks.

A Mexican photojournalist who left the state he worked in because of threats was among five people found shot to death in a Mexico City apartment this weekend, officials and press freedom advocacy groups said.